Apr 19, 2007

I read another journal entry that made a really good point. Why is it that we're so consumed with the titles of jobs, of people, of things? I'm going to a meeting tomorrow that starts at 10A, and ends at around 3P, if everything goes according to plan, and one of the genetic counselors I work with gave me the meeting agenda, and a copy of all the people in attendance.

Then, it hits me! I'm the only name on the list without an M.D., M.S., M.A., M.P.H., or M.Ed. following behind. I've met and worked with almost everyone on that list of attendees, save for the directors from the other State sites, but somehow I felt a little left out. Just like everyone else, it was a name next to a bulleted list, only indicative of the number of people in attendence. I look at the list and thought, "hmmm I'm the only one on the list not having had the 8+ years of higher education." And although I should be completely proud of having finished my college education, I feel like in present society, it just isn't enough to have the 4 years after high school. In 2007, 4 years in college is like the new 4 years in high school. It seems like 4 years in graduate school is what people would equate to what is 4 years in undergrad some 10-20 years ago.

So what is it about being called a "doctor" that makes it seem so legitimate that one has made it in society? I'm not sure I know the answer to that, but it rings a bell. Like everything else in society, a title is that confirmation. Without one, it's like you're just one in a million stamped with a barcode. It's like a necessary distinction to say to the world, "look! here I am! I'm accomplished!". Yet at the same time, I wonder why it is that we need that justification? Is it not enough that we've accomplished what we have, to the best of our ability? Why is it that we need to make accomplishments in line with society's standards? Why does it matter?

I guess it's not just titles of the jobs I'm talking about, but titles in general, why do we need titles, for reassurance? for confirmation? so we know that we're on the right track? It is a contradictory sense of dependence, that although we live in a society full of what they would call freedom, independence and an ability to move up and down the social ladder, we're dependent on everyone else to get us where we need to go. It's funny how the world works so circularly.